Thomas P.M. Barnett :: Weblog

This is what I wrote a few weeks back in my column entitled "Time is On Our Side in the Long War":

Three external trends will fuel this transformation, each producing a profound blowback to the region.

The first will arise in North America, and it will involve Islam's religious reformation at the hands of women within its ranks. Unlike in Europe, our Muslim immigrants are not socially and economically ghettoized, so it's not surprising that Muslim women, once exposed to our gender equality, have begun agitating for a greater role in the practice of their community-defining faith.

And, yes, that demonstration effect will reach the Middle East ...

Here's a neat example of a breakthrough in that process:

ARTICLE: "Breakthrough: Woman to lead Islamic Society: Professor wants women in mosques' main halls and in leadership roles," by Robert King, Indianapolis Star, 29 August 2006, p. A2.

We're talking the largest Muslim organization in North America. Ingrid Mattson, Canadian-born and now based in CT, is elected in anticipation of the annual conference of the ISNA (Islamic Society of North America). She converted to Islam in the 1980s and is now a professor of Islamic studies.

Her main goal? Making North American mosques more "women friendly." Mattson wants women seated in main prayer halls. She wants them on leadership boards.

How much change will Mattson push through?

It's not likely to be much at first, but little steps...